98 



As we now find that in parts, the earth is still in a state of 

 movement, so have we reason to believe that it is there locally 

 being acted on. An instance of this has been lately brought to 

 my knowledge by Mr. Hippesley, the owner of Stoneaston Park. 

 Above the coal district of Somersetshire, in his neighbourhood, 

 during the late Government survey, there was a station on one of 

 the hills, and for some reason they had to repeat certain observa- 

 tions after a lapse of some months, when it was found that the 

 hill on which the station was placed had diminished sensibly in 

 altitude since their first visit, and as this is exceptional and 

 limited to one hill over the Coal measures, it seems an evidence of 

 changes going on in the coal, therefore of evolution of heat. 



I think that we shall find that all similar springs, that is, those 

 not having their source in or near granite, or flowing over hot 

 lava, have their heat originated in the same manner, that the 

 cause is local, and due to changes going on in the coal, and not 

 to any central source. I find the thermal springs on the Ganges, 

 at Buxton, and in Australia, and also in Virginia, occur under 

 similar circumstances, and may be accounted for in the same way. 



The subject is very difficult, for we have not yet even a suffi- 

 cient analysis of the waters, and we have much to learn of the 

 correlation of motion and heat. I cannot, therefore, hope that I 

 have persuaded you to my views, but if I have made you suspect 

 that there may be a new solution to the mystery, if I have made 

 you feel that the central heat theory is doubtful, if not altogether 

 untenable ; if I have made you think that at least the subject 

 may be looked on as an open question, I shall be satisfied. As 

 the darkest part of the twenty-four hours is that which precedes 

 the light of day, so do I feel sure that the consciousness of the 

 darkness of ig;norance, nmst precede and herald the dawn of the 

 light of knoAvledge : at any rate the dawn will come. 



